The intersection of Route 42 and West Avenue is getting a safety upgrade. For more than 18 years, there hasn’t been a sidewalk for people trying to cross the street to reach the Dollar General, the Police Department, or the Plain City Municipal Building.
Some Alder residents have long called for a sidewalk near the intersection. Freshman Kegan Wolf says, “There’s not really any sidewalks, you have to wait on the side of the road and then run across the street when there seems to not be any cars. It’s very unsafe as of currently with no cross-walks.”
The new sidewalk will allow more people to travel freely and gather in Plain City. A sidewalk is also being added along the grass field from Der Dutchmen to the bowling alley.
These improvements will make it safer for residents and visitors to enjoy the bowling alley and walk around the city, with added protections for those crossing Route 42 at West Avenue.
Some residents, though, think that more precautions should be added.
Freshman Sebastian Santos says, “They should add speedbumps to slow down the cars who sometimes go through too fast, and they should install a pedestrian walkway like a crosswalk to allow pedestrians to cross the street safely.”
Others are just happy with the prospect of a more walkable city.
Sophomore Korbyn Chapman says, “I wish the city was more walkable, currently it’s not walkable due to its lack of safety and in some places, sidewalks.”
According to the official project on the Ohio DOT site for the sidewalk installment, they are planning to install new sidewalks, crosswalks, pavement markings, curb ramps, and traffic signals, which could help with the walkability of the city and safety.
